Preparing for Summer

If your home has had the same central air conditioning system for a couple of decades, you may be wondering whether it is time to purchase a new one to replace it. Although the old system is still running, you may have noticed that it is no longer able to cool your house as it did in years past. 

Along with its inability to fully cool your home, there are other issues that you may be having with your old air conditioner. Below are a couple of signs that it is time to replace your home's old central AC system with a new one.

1. Moisture Builds Up in and Around the Outdoor Unit as Well as Inside Your Home

One sign that your home's old central air conditioner is past its prime and should be replaced soon is when you start to notice moisture building up. You may find water collecting in and around the unit because it can no longer handle the excess drainage.

Along with this water collection around and within the unit, you may also notice that the air in your home remains humid. As part of its function, the AC unit is supposed to pull excess moisture out of the air as the condenser cools it.

If it is no longer able to handle the excess moisture in the air, the humidity levels in your home will increase. If this is happening and your unit is old, it may be time to have it replaced by a professional.

2. The Energy Needed to Run the System Has Increased and Is Skyrocketing Your Monthly Bills

Another sign that it is time to replace your old AC system is when you notice that your monthly energy bills are skyrocketing whenever you are running your AC. Especially if the system is not a new, energy-efficient model, it will take more to keep it running, especially as the unit gets older.

As the system ages, its parts will start to wear out, and the strain of running the unit to cool your home will require more energy, resulting in higher cooling bills. If you have noticed this increase in costs to cool your home, it may be time to replace the AC system.

When moisture starts to build up in and around your home's old AC system and keeps the air inside your home humid, the unit is no longer able to properly pull the moisture out of the air nor dispose of it properly. You may also see an increase in the energy it takes to run the system, causing your energy bills to skyrocket.

For more information, contact an HVAC contractor who offers AC replacement services.